Gifts from God!

Yesterday was Friday, and it was most definately one of the best days of at least the last few months...

It started off at school. For a while now i've just been going through the motions. My faith I've let stagnate and my passions in life i've let slip. This has shown particularly in my Visual Arts artworks of late. The last two mini bodies of work that i did in year 11 in preparation for year twelve had an incredibly weak concept, especially in contrast to my "Popsicles Are Like Lust" body of work and my "People in Glass Houses Shouldn't Throw Stones" sculpture. RIDDLED with conceptual meaning... however the last two bodies of work i didn't even complete, and i am ashamed to be affiliated with them. I unfortunately can't go on like that this year. I spent a good time talking to my teacher about my issues and he basically said that i need to find what I'm passionate about, to which my response was "but i just dont feel passionate about anything" to which he replied "then do what you hate least".. fair enough!!

("People In Glass Houses Shouldn't Throw Stones" artwork, 2008, Alex Archer)

So my school life may be going crappy, but there is hope yet! On friday at lunch time, Wayne my youth minister gave the talk at our ISCF (Inter-School Christian Fellowship) group, "Fuel". This term we'll be looking at the Fruits of the Spirit, which really interest me atm as a) i can never remember them all and b) i dont feel i've been terribly fruitful of late and i want to change that. Just before he talked on that we played Priests of the Parish. I was the only senior there and it was just great playing with the juniors, i had an amazing time and i just felt so apart of it all. As seniors we never really notice but you reach out to someone younger than you, and they really appreciate it. Just being there and showing that you're trying to make an effort to know them is enough for them to really be open to you. I was just really encouraged. The boys mostly from years 7, 8 and 9 have grown so much and have such a passion for Jesus and a want to serve that i cannot ignore that God is at work through them, and He's doing great things. Wayne challenged us in the talk to be considering whether or not we're showing more the fruits of the Spirit in our Youth Groups and churches, or are we doing more of the evil things, as described in Galatians. Definately something for me to be considering.

So then what? Youth group in the evening! I arrived, and noticed there were less people than usual, a shame but in the end didn't make a difference to the quality of the night, which was most definately incredibly fruitful. At the moment we're doing a study on the book of Acts, more specifically looking at what it tells us about the Holy Spirit. I'd like to mention it now that it sincerely frustrates me when people say we don't talk about the Spirit merely because we're Anglican. In my own experiences I've talked about it a fair bit and there's nothing in what defines Anglicanism that says we should "avoid the Spirit at all costs".. it's not a fault of the denomination, it's a fault of the people.

What was basically said is that if the Spirit is working, how do we know? after looking through Acts we found that the evidence was that:

- The Apostles speaking in tongues was evidence in that it was not possible for them to know the other languages otherwise

- Prophesy from Joel was fulfilled

- The people of God increased in number

- People were in awe of what was happening

- "All the believers were together and had everything in common"

- They continued to meet regularly

- They remembered the Lord Jesus

Wayne also said that he'd noticed that in our youth group he noticed a lot of people see the issues, and they want them resolved HOWEVER we're all waiting for someone else to make the first move. This hit home especially as in my head i was screaming "THATS ME!! I'M THAT PERSON!!" followed by "oh, i have some changing to do". Later in discussion groups Matt also suggested that he'd noticed that we're all very willing to care for one another, and we have a lot of love to give however we wait for someone to ask for it before anything of done. We're passive as opposed to assertive. I couldn't have agreed more. We also established that we need to be extending a hand out to our non-Christian brothers and sisters. Inviting people to youth group is definately something i've let slide but its time to change that. My goal for the week is to invite someone next friday (Tim is going to hold me accountable, and i'm holding him accountable to hand out some flyers to people during the week telling them of our youth group). I realised too that we're in such a good position to invite others to our youth group as well. Because we've been relatively small we've all grown close as friends, so when someone new comes to which we'll devote our attention, our friends dont need to feel neglected or doubt our friendships, as we all share a common focus. Its all part of owning our youth group as opposed to attending our youth group, also something thats' been in my mind a lot lately.

Overall it was most encouraging to know that people had noticed the same things that i had, and now we can work on making a difference, to better the Glory of God!

Afterward, after having dropped Tim's sister Bri home, Tim and I went to Maccas at North Ryde to meet up with our friend Levi from CCC Ryde and also Andrew from Ryde Baptist. We got there expecting it only to be Levi but there were actually about 20 of his youth group there. I had an awesome time chatting to Andrew and Levi at first but after acquiring a Caramel Sundae we joined Levi's youth group's table. I still had my name tag on from youth so it was easier for people to remember my name at least. We played a HUGE game of Mafia which was awesomely fun. I was one of the mafia so when i was asked to state my case i figured i'd attempt to guilt-trip everyone on the basis i was one if the new kids. I failed. But once again i was reminded how awesome God's kingdom truly is! No matter what church we go to, we all have a common interest in Christ and share the same love, unified in God's church. It was so great to just be there with other Christian who were so open and welcoming. A huge encouragement, and shoved the feelings of exclusion and isolation i'd been feeling from people of my age group's social networks.

All up, i cannot NOT give praise and glory to God for the night, for He is definately worthy and gifts us in so many ways. He is Good.

Anonymity is my middle name..

(Untitled, Photograph, 2007, Alex Archer)

Actually it's Nicholas, but that's beside the point.

I'm kinda-sorta enjoying the fact that none of my friends are aware that i have a blog yet.. and neither does anyone else (atm i have 0 followers), so essentially I'm talking to myself.. which for the moment is fine . I'm sure at some point i'll be in a conversation about blogging and then inevitably i'll be asked whether i have one, to which i can reply "why yes, indeed i do". This sort of quietness is much to my taste atm as last night i was up until midnight reading 27 pages of MLIA and have grown a strong fondness to the silent types that have their two seconds of jest that generates a mass of hilarity due to the juxtaposition of such witty humour in comparison to their quiet and reserved facade.

And what of today? Well form a day of nothingness it has turned out to be somewhat more enjoyable than first predicted.

I woke up at 9:30, went downstairs to find my mother on the phone to Nan. I was then invited to join my mother and grandparents on a walk around the bay at Drummoyne. We were picked up at 10:15 which was definitely not the fun part (being the holidays I've grown particularly fond of taking two hours to merely have breakfast which usually consists of 4-6 pieces of raisin toast and a gigantic cup of tea, and have a shower and get changed). They drove us over, which was somewhat amusing as nan and pop have gotten to that stage where they tell each other how to drive and an argument is to follow. I then made a pact with mum in the back-seat that herself and dad would become that "elderly bickering couple", and attempted to tell her to stop laughing out loud so that they would continue to carry on and we could wear smiles on our faces and share a decent inside laugh.

We parked, got out and walked to the water. It was incredibly windy, nan's hat blew off and i got a sickening amusement out of watching her struggle to chase after it (she has arthritis in both knees) when i ran and picked it up for her. she was laughing too, she has an awesome ability to laugh about her own inabilities in her age. We got to the waters edge, and the first bench Pop came to he made "comfortable" with.

At this point i should explain as to why. A few weeks ago, he was up on a ladder at the side of their house attempting to pin a cable down. He fell off the adder hitting his head on concrete and ruining his shoulders. Amazingly he had no neck or back trauma. Luckily my uncle was home and heard pop calling out. He called an ambulance and pop got to hospital. I was at my mate Tim's house at this point when i got the call form Mum. Nan still wasn't aware as she went out and didn't have her phone. it was only after she got home she found out. We all went to the hospital in the afternoon and had a chat to him. He seemed somewhat embarrassed and sorry for himself.

Still feeling sore and exhausted i was talking with him about his injuries. He's gotten to that age where he's unable to physically do what he would (going from an able Chief Electrical Engineer for Westfield to retired old man is a huge transition), but he's finding it hard to come to terms with it. It was a sad moment once when he was talking about the gutter that was bothering him and that he said he would have to get someone else in to do it. knowing his independent nature this really deeply saddened me.

Nan, Mum and i continued for some time around the bay, commenting on the poor state of thew water. We then returned to pop and we all shuffled back in the car for coffee. on the way we passed my uncle and aunt's new investment property, which i ogled at for some time. I wish i had that house to live in let alone rent out. we had coffee at a place on Lyons Rd where we enjoyed some fruitful conversation about my grandparents time at "Club Med" and how the family had progressed in years. It was all a good time. I look forward to having lunch at Filicuddi's with them tomorrow, and also driving their car home.. but thats another story :)

On my arrival home it was time to plan Laser Tag for friday afternoon for my mates from school. It's truly been an answer to prayers. Jono and i have been having phone conversations every Thursday for some time and I've been requesting prayer to strengthen ties with the guys at school and hang out with the peeps at church during the holidays. Organizing Max Brenner after church on sunday and laser tag has really been answered prayers. It never ceases to amaze me how i will pray for something and not even realize God has fulfilled my prayer as i have forgotten about it. this is where Prayer Diaries gain their worth.

My shoulders where lightened when i booked for 8 people at Zone 3 Fivedock for 1pm.. now just to organize lifts and such..

Tonight i look forward to a good hangout at Pip's house.. hanging with some amazing brothers and sisters in Christ just chilling, talking and having a general hangout. What i love most :)

Until next time peeps! :D

Peace, God bless

"Septet-Successive Gigging"

LET IT BE KNOWN among the land, far and wide that myself, Mr A.N Chee is the rightful, original and SOLE inventor of the theory of "Septet-Successive Gigging".

What is this you may ask? Well, breaking the term into its various parts reveals somewhat of an answer. A "septet" is a grouping of seven people or things, it is also a musical term. "Successive" or to be "in succession" means sequential, or more plainly "in a row". "Gigging" is a colloquialism that is used to refer to the act of attending an event, usually of a musical nature. At this stage you may be thinking, "That makes no sense Chee!" but indeed YES i tell you, it DOES!!

"Septet-Successive Gigging" = attending seven gigs in a row, one for each night/day of the week. It may not be a new concept, after all what are music festivals? HOWEVER in the same flavour of Stanislavski's method of acting, who merely put into words what most actors would naturally do otherwise without giving it a second consideration, so to will i claim something new and brilliant that has been done before.. and i will be famed. Yee of little faith..

Peace, God bless

How is this so?

Time to begin the formalities i suppose.

So why have i started a blog? Well its the tuesday of the second week of the school holidays. I've wasted my day, and will probably waste most of tomorrow too, but the shining light out of it all is a certain little birdie who suggested making a blog. Well, what is there to lose? After all, it's kept me from using "Twitter" and that can ONLY BE A GOOD THING (join my boycotting activities @ www.twitterneedstobeviolatedbyzombies.org). So hello, and welcome my possible 4 readers, let's hope my life isn't too boring for you. :)

But what of the name? Watch your plate? The anecdote goes as such.. my father often tells me to watch my plate as I walk my dinner to my seating place in the lounge-room. Seemingly irrationally, these three small words agitate me to no ends. I think i feel it undermining my own ability to actually think about what i'm doing. Regardless, the phrase holds somewhat of a metaphorical value.

Imagine that the "plate" symbolizes our lives. We have our burdens and our obligations along with our great adventures and dreams. Now if we are yo watch your plate, its a plea to consider your life and what you are doing with it. A lyric from a song by a Christian band i know of goes "What do you live for, is it something to stand for? Is it everything that you believe and more?"

Some may find an irony that the title of this blog calls others to "Watch their Plate" when in fact the purpose of the blog is so that others can watch mine. Or maybe, others may not find it at all ironical, as i am relatively average at english and somebody may actually know how to use various english techniques such as irony correctly. I'll leave that for you to decide :)

Peace, God bless